TECH BITS
NEW YORK (AP) -- One in five Americans who use instant-messaging programs do so at work, and most consider it a mixed blessing that can encourage gossip or add stress, a new survey from the Pew Internet and American Life Project finds.

The Wall St. and Business Report
NEW YORK (AP) -- The August start of the back-to-school shopping season was a disappointment for major retailers, delivering the industry a third straight month of tepid sales and its weakest gain in almost a year and a half. Higher gasoline prices and consumers' ongoing worries about jobs contributed to the poor showing.

Manufacturing activity rose in August
NEW YORK (AP) -- Manufacturing activity rose in August for the 15th consecutive month, but at a slower rate than in July, according to a monthly report released Wednesday by the Institute for Supply Management, a research group.

Costs of owning a pet can add up quickly
NEW YORK -- Kittens and puppies at the pet store or local pound may tug at your heartstrings, but new pet owners soon find that animal companions can also tug at their pursestrings.

The Wall St. & Business Report: Employers step up hiring
WASHINGTON -- Employers stepped up hiring in August, expanding payrolls by 144,000 and lowering the unemployment rate marginally to 5.4 percent. While the figures didn't amount to a national job fair, analysts said, they did hold out the promise of stronger growth following the summer lull.

Final column: More top Web sites to explore ...
This is my swan song, my last column for The Record. I've decided to put aside my geekish green eye shade to explore new avenues of writing. I have, however, thoroughly enjoyed answering your questions over the last year and wish you, dear reader, happy virus-free computing.

COA to offer wills, estates seminars
The St. Johns County Council on Aging Inc. is offering complimentary Asset Protection Through Will and Estate Planning seminars at 11:15 a.m Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7 and 14. at the Coastal Community Center Conference Room, 180 Marine St.

Seniors Notebook
Medicare services:
Dawn Emerick, First Coast Service Options, will present a special program at the Coastal Community Center, 180 Marine St., Sept. 15 at 10:30 a.m.

Column of the Day: Entertainment quotes from The Associated Press
"I can't believe somebody is so interested -- particularly in all the pictures of me at the grocery store or at preschool. It's like every day I'm wearing the same sweat suit. It's like, 'Is this really interesting? And to who?' " -- Reese Witherspoon, star of the new film "Vanity Fair," via AP Radio, saying she doesn't understand the appeal of tabloid magazines.

Q & A Social Security
Q: I am a 26-year-old welder who is married with two small children. I worked for a company that reported my income using an incorrect Social Security number. My grandfather told me I do not need to correct this because those two years will not be used in my Social Security retirement benefit calculation anyway. Is he right?

Newborn squirrel rescued after Charley
Along with the rain and wind that Hurricane Charley brought to our area last month, it sent Cheryl Cassaro a little token of affection, one that most people might have overlooked.

Mansion and castle in historic New England seaport
GLOUCESTER, Mass. -- This busy fishing town at the center of scenic Cape Ann calls itself America's oldest seaport. Settled in 1623, Gloucester is known for fresh seafood and as a launching point for whale-watch excursions. But it's also home to two unusual homes, each dating back less than a century, that may prove a worthwhile sidetrip for leaf-peepers and others visiting the area, just a 45-minute drive from Boston.

COA Menu
The following is the menu for the St. Johns County Council on Aging for Sept. 6-10. Meals include milk and a choice of coffee or iced tea. Reservations are required. Please call 823-4810 by noon the previous day. Meals are served at two sites in the county: The Council on Aging, 180 Marine St.; and at Trout Creek Pavilion and Community Center in the northwestern part of the county. Trout Creek lunches are served Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Book mobile schedule
The following is the schedule for the St. Johns County Public Library System's book mobile for the week of Sept. 6.

Column of the Day: Daytime Dial
ALL MY CHILDREN: Ryan demanded that Zach explain his collection of photos and his connection to Michael Cambias. After learning the results of a test he did on Ethan, Zach told Kendall that Ryan will get what he deserves. In the meantime, Ryan told Greenlee that he wants a real marriage for both of them.

Entertaining 'Frank'
I'm not sure how many right-wingers are going to want to watch "Let's Get Frank" (Unrated, 75 minutes) -- a documentary about Rep. Barney Frank, D-Mass., filmed mostly in the late 1990s as the House wrestled with the issue of impeaching Bill Clinton -- but those who do might surprise themselves, coming away with the view that the outspoken congressman is just as entertaining as his liberal fans already know him to be.

Plan ahead for September
HURRICANE PARTY Suwannee River Jam will rock out on the banks of the Suwannee River near Live Oak through Monday. Go to www.musicliveshere.com HOLY MOLAS Local artists Fernando and Kathryn Arango will talk about Cuna Indian culture and textile art at El Estudio art Gallery.

Movie Capsules: Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid
This sequel's only achievement is that it's so stupidly plotted and badly acted, it becomes unintentionally funny here and there. The follow-up to the 1997 action hit "Anaconda" tracks an expedition in the jungles of Borneo that stumbles into mating season for monstrously large, ravenous snakes, which have a taste for swallowing humans whole.

People: Documentaries to rock Vancouver Film Festival
VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) -- The success of films such as Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" and Morgan Spurlock's "Super Size Me" is being felt at the Vancouver International Film Festival as organizers anticipate big crowds for documentaries.

Flagler Forums kick off
St. Augustine will get an inside look at the battle for the presidency when the Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy kicks off in September.

Music reviews: Spotlight on Bjork, Papa Roach and Jimmy Cliff
Bjork has said she finds her best, most loved music has been the songs she was selfish in making. On her latest, the Icelandic chanteuse has cast out even the instruments. Bjork's seventh album, "Medulla," which refers to the spinal cord in Latin, gets to the heart of the marrow, so to speak.

Book paints picture of Jimmy Hoffa's demise
"'I Heard You Paint Houses': Frank 'The Irishman' Sheeran and the Inside Story of the Mafia, the Teamsters, and the Last Ride of Jimmy Hoffa." By Charles Brandt. Steerforth Press.

Calendar
First Friday Art Walk: See what's new at all the art galleries downtown from 5 to 9 p.m. For information and a map of galleries, go to www.staugustinegalleries.com.

Local artists take on biblical themes in sacred art show
Several local artists who have never delved into religious art and who may not even describe themselves as religious are contributing work to "Women of the Bible," an exhibition opening this week at the St. Augustine Art Association.

Ray Charles: From the genius, last gleamings at twilight
Time was not kind to Ray Charles, but for decades he seemed impervious to its machinations. His best years had come in the mid-'50s and the '60s, when he virtually invented soul and then refused to be boxed in by any single genre. His voice, his style, his vision -- all were singular, but over the last 35 years of his extraordinary career, the brilliant was too often overwhelmed by the mundane. Charles' albums, and his performances, became rote, peppered with bright moments but sadly routine.

Paint-out at Washington Oaks
The plein air painting movement started in Europe, but it's catching on quickly in the United States, according to painter Hope Barton who is leading a plein air "paint-out" at Washington Oaks, Sept. 10-12.

New film series starting next week at Film Society and JMOMA
The Film Society of St. Augustine begins its new season on Tuesday with the Norwegian film "Kitchen Stories." The 2003 movie is a comedy-drama based on a project by the Home Research Institute in Norway and takes a laugh at "1950s Swedish, commercially-driven overkill," according to filmcritic.com.

'Cuba and its Music' takes reader on musical, historical journey
"Cuba and its Music" opens with a bold statement: "This is a history of music from a Cuban point of view." That's a big claim, but it's true. "Cuba and its Music: From the First Drums to the Mambo" is a vital history not just of Cuban but also of Latin and American popular music. Not only does it trace Cuban music's deepest roots in Africa and Spain but also ties it together with a cultural and political history of Cuba. This is a fascinating story of how music is shaped by economics, politics and culture, and how it becomes a force of its own.

Turkish novel rises above the rest
Haunting and edgy, Orhan Pamuk's "Snow" is a novel by a writer who takes the novel seriously, as a vehicle for exploring ideas and examining the predicament of the world. It's a book with action and intrigue, witty insights and lively characters, but it's also a work with a moral and symbolic complexity that makes most contemporary fiction look thin and inconsequential.

'Private Logan's Revenge' a good Civil War yarn
Exactly 140 years ago today, on Sept. 3, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln declared Sept. 5 a national day of celebration after receiving the news of Gen. Sherman's capture of Atlanta and Admiral Farragut's victory in Mobile Bay.

People: Baldwin brothers differ on politics
Politics run deep in the Baldwin family, and right now brothers Alec and Stephen are finding themselves on opposite sides of a fiercely partisan presidential election campaign.

SAHS holds ballet workshop
The St. Augustine High School dance department recently held a ballet workshop with Michelle Ottley Fisher, dance director at La Villa School of the Arts.

Art in the courthouse features student work
Judge John Alexander and School Board Member Diane Lovell recently hung artwork in the St. Johns County courthouse. Alexander noted that the newest courthouse in DeLand is filled with art exhibits in keeping with recent legislative initiatives to put more art in public places.

SAR announces essay competitions
All high school students are eligible to compete in the four traditional Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), 2004-05 competition with top awards in the thousands of dollars.The St. Augustine Chapter will administer these contests in St. Johns and Putnam counties. All contests begin with a chapter competition, there are 29 SAR chapters in Florida, chapter winners compete with each other and the state winner competes with other state winners. The contests are:

Garden Hotline: New gardening season upon us
Labor Day signifies the end of summer and the start of fall. It also begins a new gardening season for us. While most of the nation's gardeners will be closing up the shed for the year we get to start planting again.

Your Gardening Q&A
Q. I have a Honey Bell orange tree. It is several years old and has some fruit on it. One fruit has changed colors and fallen from the tree. I tasted it and it is not very flavorful. How can I get the fruit to be sweeter.

Back Yard a Thing of Beauty
Phyllis Burchfield left several messages on my answering machine while I was out of town for a brief vacation. When I reached Phyllis, she was excited about a landscape she thought worthy of being on the garden page.

Dr. Donohue: When an antibiotic causes diarrhea, stop taking it
DEAR DR. DONOHUE: Am I crazy, or is it possible that I am very allergic to clindamycin, which I have to take before a dental visit? After taking it, I have a constant bellyache and frequent bowel movements. This lasts for 10 days. (I am 85.) I take no other medication. I do have a heart murmur. This reaction from the medicine keeps me confined. My doctor, druggist and dentist all think I complain too much, but this medicine makes me miserable. What can I do? -- Anon.

Many viewers turn to Fox for Bush speech
Coverage of President Bush's Republican convention address Thursday capped a record-breaking week for Fox News Channel, as viewers this election cycle have increasingly migrated to cable networks for political news.

The Wall St. & Business Report: Employers step up hiring
WASHINGTON -- Employers stepped up hiring in August, expanding payrolls by 144,000 and lowering the unemployment rate marginally to 5.4 percent. While the figures didn't amount to a national job fair, analysts said, they did hold out the promise of stronger growth following the summer lull.

Kerry says Bush broke his promises
NEWARK, Ohio -- Democrat John Kerry said Friday that President Bush didn't keep the promises he made as a candidate four years ago, and pledged to do better if elected.

Republicans leave, city returns to normal
NEW YORK -- Penn Station, an armed encampment all week, was bustling again with commuters. Regulars stood in line at their bagel-and-coffee shops. Police vanished from city blocks where they had been deployed by the dozen.

Slow progress jangles nerves
STUART -- Hurricane Frances lost some steam and hesitated off the Florida coast Friday, prolonging the anxiety among the millions evacuated and raising fears of a slow, ruinous drenching over the Labor Day weekend.

Venerable Wilderness Act stands test of time
WASHINGTON -- Forty years and 106 million acres after Congress decided the wilderness should not be spoiled by people, the law is such an icon that skeptics dare only try to slow its consequences.

Bush says 'we will prevail' over terrorism; Kerry calls president unfit to lead
NEW YORK -- President Bush picked apart John Kerry's record on the Iraq war and tax cuts Thursday night and summoned the nation toward victory over terrorism and economic security at home. "Nothing will hold us back," he said in a Republican National Convention acceptance speech that launched his fall re-election campaign.

Labor Day closings
All government agencies with St. Johns County, city of St. Augustine, city of St. Augustine Beach and the town of Hastings are closed.

Correction
Information on Masses in the Diocese of St. Augustine throughout Northeast Florida was incorrect in the list of hurricane closings that ran on Page 2A Friday.

Bush tries to change focus of election
NEW YORK (AP) -- An unpopular war and 1.1 million lost jobs is enough to kill a presidency, so President Bush tried Thursday night to make the election about something else: himself and his leadership style.

Police Report: Eight days missing
Jeff L. Richmond, 33, was last seen driving a white Chevy S-10 extended cab pick-up truck north on U.S. 1 toward St. Augustine, said Linda Murphy, Richmond's mother.

County residents prepare for storm
Buttoned up and hunkered down -- that's most of St. Johns County a day or so before approaching Hurricane Frances makes her presence felt.

County readies for storm
St. Johns County has declared a local state of emergency in anticipation of high winds and intense rainfall with the approaching Hurricane Frances.

Slow progress jangles nerves
STUART -- Hurricane Frances lost some steam and hesitated off the Florida coast Friday, prolonging the anxiety among the millions evacuated and raising fears of a slow, ruinous drenching over the Labor Day weekend.

Carmichael manages top middle school
If you have a middle school student and you live in the Julington Creek Plantation area, you probably already know Clay Carmichael, principal of Fruit Cove Middle School.

Guard mobilizes
Florida National Guard soldiers from all over the state will report to their armories tonight, preparing to be mobilized for security missions after Hurricane Frances passes through.

Church services cancelled
A number of churches in the St. Augustine area have canceled worship services Sunday, in anticipation of inclement weather from Hurricane Frances.

Emergency shelters open
Three emergency shelters opened and a voluntary evacuation was established in St. Johns County on Friday as Hurricane Frances continued her tortoise-like crawl toward the Florida coastline.

A Light to Remember
Dressed in full U.S. Coast Guard uniform, Hank Mears on Thursday ascended the St. Augustine Lighthouse steps.

Newborn squirrel rescued after Charley
Along with the rain and wind that Hurricane Charley brought to our area last month, it sent Cheryl Cassaro a little token of affection, one that most people might have overlooked.

Police Report:
The following was compiled from police reports collected from the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office (SJCSO), St. Augustine Police Department (SAPD) and St. Augustine Beach Police Department (SABPD):

Marci Deane James
Marci Deane James, 62, of St. Augustine, died Aug. 30, 2004, at Flagler Hospital. She was born in Baltimore, Md., and was a longtime resident of Ocean City, Md., before moving to this area in 1977. She was a graduate of Mount St. Agnes College and had worked as a special education teacher in Flagler Beach and Daytona for many years.

Marshall Augustus Weatherly
Marshall Augustus Weatherly, 79, of St. Augustine died Sept. 2, 2004, at Flagler Hospital. He was a native of Atlanta, Ga., and had resided here since 1969. He was a shrimp boat captain and was retired 30 years from St. Augustine Trawlers. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he was a member of Bible Baptist Church.

Marshall Augustus Weatherly
Marshall Augustus Weatherly, 79, of St. Augustine died Sept. 2, 2004, at Flagler Hospital. He was a native of Atlanta, Ga., and had resided here since 1969. He was a shrimp boat captain and was retired 30 years from St. Augustine Trawlers. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and he was a member of Bible Baptist Church.

Editorial: Winds of terrorism
It's time to quit carping over the ambiguity of the color-coded terrorism alerts and to understand them for what they are and aren't.

Editorial: Winds of terrorism
It's time to quit carping over the ambiguity of the color-coded terrorism alerts and to understand them for what they are and aren't.

Letter: Kerry statement distorted
Editor: Again, President Bush's reelection campaign is distorting and misrepresenting statement made by Sen. John Kerry in its desperate effort to paint Kerry as a serial flip-flopper.

Letter: Homeschool group forms
Editor: Interfaith Counseling Services and Excellence in Education extend a warm and hearty welcome to First Coast Christian Homeschoolers.

Letter: Get tough on terrorists
Editor:We have the most powerful military in the world and yet we let a rag-tag group of terrorists kill our boys because we play by the rules while they do not. They do the most brutal acts and no one in the world says a thing.

Perspective: What is the best way to get the voters to vote?
The most telling statistic from Tuesday's election -- and the most embarrassing -- was the dismal voter turnout. We can tell ourselves that this was only a primary, but we all know better. This was a big election.We elected a new sheriff, for all practical purposes. We put the safety of our citizens in the hands of the man running this office -- not to mention nearly $35 million in tax dollars.The contest was high-profile all the way. The candidates were well-known and very visible. It had rabid supporters on both sides.

Letter: Centralize national security
Editor: The 9-11 Commission comprised of five Republicans and Democrats presented a unanimous report of recommendations to improve our national security. It is a remarkable demonstration of bipartisanship.

Elections, hurricanes...will the horror ever end?
A huge muggy mass of swirling, turbulent hot air approaches St. Johns County, ripping and destroying everything in its path. No one is safe from its effects, and it leaves devastation, debris and despair behind.

Letter: Lessons of Anne Frank
Editor: "The Diary of Anne Frank" has closed at the Limelight Theatre, but important lessons will live on in the hearts of the children who attended the play with their parents and teachers.

Letter: Area neglected by city
Editor: I'd like to speak to a neglected situation in St. Augustine. I'm speaking of the area south of the plaza where there are many wonderful, picturesque and worthwhile attractions.

Trinity Parish takes on the role of landlord
Not only is the Rev. Dr. David Weidner's ministry responsible for completion of a new parish center -- he also automatically became the "landlord" for a number of storefront businesses along King and Aviles streets. The property includes the former Woolworth store, which is now shared by the St. Augustine Toy Company and the Jesterville Grille.

Biblical stewardship seminar Sept. 16
Ron Blue, CFP, CPA, president of Christian Financial Professionals Network (CFPN) and chairman of the board of Crown Financial Ministries, will conduct a one-day seminar from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 16 at the World Golf Village Renaissance Resort.

Trinity youth back from Kentucky mission trip
Eight members of the Trinity Episcopal Parish youth group and their youth minister had what they describe as an amazing experience this summer on a six-day mission trip to Barnes Mountain, Ky.

What's lure of traveling faith healer?
I've always wondered why, in this world of honest, loving churches, some Christians still find hope in a traveling faith healer who sells miracle water.

NFL Capsules: Panthers 16, Steelers 13
PITTSBURGH -- Rod Rutherford's 57-yard completion to Eugene Baker in the fourth quarter set up John Kasay's third field goal, and Carolina finished off its second consecutive unbeaten preseason.

Jaguars 31, Patriots 0
FOXBORO, Mass. -- Quinn Gray threw three touchdown passes in the final eight minutes and the Jacksonville Jaguars ended the New England Patriots' poor exhibition season with a 31-0 win Thursday night.

NFL Capsules: Jets rally to edge Philadelphia
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Jets rallied from a 27-7 deficit, scoring three touchdowns in the last 5:14 Friday night to beat the Philadelphia Eagles 28-27 in their last game of the preseason.

Tebow, Nease get out to a good start
FERNANDINA BEACH -- Reigning St. Johns County Player of the Year Tim Tebow went right back to picking apart defenses in Thursday night's season opener for the Nease football team.

Williams erratic, Roddick distracted in wins
NEW YORK -- Hardly at her best, barely beating one of the tour's pesky teens, Serena Williams suddenly found herself face-down at the U.S. Open. Running for a ball she couldn't reach, the six-time Grand Slam champion slipped and planted both palms on the court to brace herself. Williams shook the sting out of her hands, beckoned a ball boy to retrieve her fallen racket, then took her sweet time before facing break point.

Column: NCAA, ACC owe apology to prep football
For those of you devout Catholics who can remember an important page of pop culture, Sinead O'Connor's career meant nothing until she ripped a picture of Pope John Paul in half on "Saturday Night Live" in 1992.

No. 20 Utah 41, Texas A&M 21
SALT LAKE CITY -- Alex Smith threw for three touchdowns, rushed for two more and finished with 435 yards of offense, and No. 20 Utah backed up its first preseason ranking with a 41-21 win over Texas A&M on Thursday night.

Democrats sue, try to keep Nader off ballot
TALLAHASSEE -- The Florida Democratic party and an independent group of voters separately sued the state Tuesday, trying to keep Ralph Nader off the November ballot and accusing the Reform Party's nomination process of being a sham.

Insurers say they'll handle double hit from Charles, Frances
TALLAHASSEE -- Hurricane Frances could add billions to the $7.4 billion insurance companies are already paying out to Florida victims of Hurricane Charley, but industry officials say changes made after historic Hurricane Andrew have made them able to handle it.

FEMA readies for Frances
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency is mobilizing three times as many disaster relief workers for Hurricane Frances as it did for Hurricane Charley last month.

One ticket wins Fantasy 5
TALLAHASSEE -- One winner of the "Fantasy 5" game will collect $209,003.24, the Florida Lottery said Thursday.

Cleric Al-Sadr proclaims his militia unbeatable
KUFA, Iraq -- Rebel Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr declared U.S. forces can never defeat his Mahdi militia in a defiant speech read out to 2,000 supporters during the first Friday prayers since the end of a brutal three-week standoff with American troops.

Fire at historical library destroys thousands of irreplaceable books
WEIMAR, Germany -- A fire that ripped through one of Germany's most precious historical libraries destroyed or damaged tens of thousands of irreplaceable books, although some 6,000 works, including a 1543 Martin Luther Bible, were spirited to safety by a chain of people, officials said Friday.

S. Korea denies nuclear weapons intentions
SEOUL, South Korea -- Denying it has any nuclear weapons ambitions, South Korea insisted Friday that a one-time uranium enrichment test by its scientists will not derail U.S.-led efforts to dismantle rival North Korea's nuclear programs.

Three-day Russian hostage drama ends
BESLAN, Russia -- The three-day hostage siege at a school in southern Russia ended in chaos and bloodshed Friday, after witnesses said Chechen militants set off bombs and Russian commandos stormed the building. Hostages fled in terror, many of them children who were half-naked and covered in blood. Officials estimated the death toll at more than 200.

France's ban on Islamic head scarves in schools passes first test
PARIS (AP) -- It was easier for 16-year-old Nadia Arabi to remove her Islamic head scarf Thursday than to defy a new law banning religious signs in the classroom, or to risk contempt for breaking a national chain of solidarity for two Frenchmen held hostage by militants in Iraq.

Militants release some hostages at Russian school
BESLAN, Russia -- Camouflage-clad soldiers carried crying babies away from a school where gunmen holding hundreds of hostages freed at least 26 women and children Thursday during a second day of high drama that kept crowds of distraught relatives on edge.